Platform movement systems and methods of using the same

ABSTRACT

Platform movement systems and methods of using the same. A system for moving a platform of the present disclosure can include a first actuator pivotally attached to a base, the first actuator having a first rod positioned therethrough and configured to move the first rod in a first direction and an opposing second direction along a first rod axis; a second actuator pivotally attached to the base, the second actuator having a second rod positioned therethrough and configured to move the second rod in a first direction and an opposing second direction along a second rod axis; an arm attached to the base using an arm connector; and a platform coupled to the first rod, the second rod, and the arm, the platform configured to move about the base upon operation of the first actuator and/or the second actuator.

PRIORITY

The present application is related to, claims the priority benefit of,and is a U.S. continuation patent application of, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/677,367, filed Aug. 15, 2017 and issued as U.S.Pat. No. 10,723,169 on Jul. 28, 2020, which is related to, and claimsthe priority benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.62/375,158, filed Aug. 15, 2016, the contents of which are herebyincorporated into the present disclosure in their entirety directly andby reference.

BACKGROUND

Current systems for use in connection with engraving, three-dimensional(3D) printing, etc., that incorporate platform movement are generallycomplex, require many parts, and are relatively expensive. In view ofthe same, systems, devices, and methods of using the same, to preciselycontrol movement of a platform, as referenced in further detail herein,would be well received in the marketplace.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present disclosure includes disclosure of systems for moving aplatform, for example, in a controlled pattern upon a substrate so tofacilitate printing, etching, etc., onto or upon an object positionedupon said platform.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of systems for moving aplatform, as shown and described herein.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a system for moving aplatform, the system comprising a first actuator pivotally attached to abase, the first actuator having a first rod positioned therethrough andconfigured to move the first rod in a first direction and an opposingsecond direction along a first rod axis; a second actuator pivotallyattached to the base, the second actuator having a second rod positionedtherethrough and configured to move the second rod in a first directionand an opposing second direction along a second rod axis; an armattached to the base using an arm connector; a platform coupled to thefirst rod, the second rod, and the arm, the platform configured to moveabout the base upon operation of the first actuator and/or the secondactuator; and a controller, controlled using a processor incommunication with the controller, configured to control operation ofthe first actuator and the second actuator.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a system, furthercomprising an arm coupled to the base using an arm connector, the armfurther coupled to the platform and configured to regulate movement ofthe platform.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a system, wherein theprocessor is configured to control operation of the first actuator andthe second actuator based upon software instructions accessible by theprocessor.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a system, wherein thesoftware instructions provide instructions to the processor to cause thefirst actuator and the second actuator to operate so to move theplatform in a desired pattern.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a system, wherein a toolpositioned relative to the platform can place indicia upon and/or withinan object positioned upon the platform.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a system, wherein the toolis selected from the group consisting of a writing tool, a router, alaser, and a scribe, such as a nail or other relatively pointed element.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a system, wherein the toolcomprises a plastic deposition mechanism configured to deposit plasticonto the platform or onto the object positioned upon the platform.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a method for controllingmovement of a platform, as described herein.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a system for moving aplatform, comprising a first actuator pivotally attached to a base, thefirst actuator having a first rod positioned therethrough and configuredto move the first rod in a first direction and an opposing seconddirection along a first rod axis; a second actuator pivotally attachedto the base, the second actuator having a second rod positionedtherethrough and configured to move the second rod in a first directionand an opposing second direction along a second rod axis; an armattached to the base using an arm connector; and a platform coupled tothe first rod, the second rod, and the arm, the platform configured tomove about the base upon operation of the first actuator and/or thesecond actuator.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a system for moving aplatform, further comprising a controller, controlled using a processorin communication with the controller, the controller configured tocontrol operation of the first actuator and the second actuator.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a system for moving aplatform, wherein the processor is configured to control operation ofthe first actuator and the second actuator based upon softwareinstructions accessible by the processor.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a system for moving aplatform, wherein the software instructions provide instructions to theprocessor to cause the first actuator and the second actuator to operateso to move the platform in a desired pattern.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a system for moving aplatform, wherein the processor is configured to send signals to thecontroller.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a system for moving aplatform, wherein the arm is further coupled to the platform andconfigured to regulate the movement of the platform.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a system for moving aplatform, wherein the controller is configured to regulate powerprovided to the first actuator and the second actuator.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a system for moving aplatform, further comprising one more sliders positioned between thebase and the platform.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a system for moving aplatform, further comprising a first rod connector configured to couplethe first rod to the platform; and a second rod connector configured tocouple the second rod to the platform.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a system for moving aplatform, wherein the first rod connector and the second rod connectorengage the platform by way of a pin positioned therethrough.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a system for moving aplatform, wherein the platform comprises a lower platform elementconfigured to move about the base, and an upper platform element coupledto the upper platform element.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a system for moving aplatform, further comprising a tool positioned relative to the platform,the tool configured to generate indicia upon and/or within an objectpositioned upon the platform due to movement of the platform relative tothe tool.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a system for moving aplatform, wherein the tool is selected from the group consisting of awriting tool, a router, a laser, and a scribe.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a system for moving aplatform, wherein the tool comprises a plastic deposition mechanismconfigured to deposit plastic onto the platform or onto the objectpositioned upon the platform.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a system for moving aplatform, comprising a first actuator pivotally attached to a base, thefirst actuator having a first rod positioned therethrough and configuredto move the first rod in a first direction and an opposing seconddirection along a first rod axis; a second actuator pivotally attachedto the base, the second actuator having a second rod positionedtherethrough and configured to move the second rod in a first directionand an opposing second direction along a second rod axis; an armattached to the base using an arm connector; a platform coupled to thefirst rod, the second rod, and the arm, the platform configured to moveabout the base upon operation of the first actuator and/or the secondactuator; a controller, controlled using a processor in communicationwith the controller, the controller configured to control operation ofthe first actuator and the second actuator; and a tool positionedrelative to the platform, the tool configured to generate indicia uponand/or within an object positioned upon the platform due to movement ofthe platform relative to the tool.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a system for moving aplatform, wherein the tool is selected from the group consisting of awriting tool, a router, a laser, and a scribe.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a system for moving aplatform, wherein the tool comprises a plastic deposition mechanismconfigured to deposit plastic onto the platform or onto the objectpositioned upon the platform.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a method for controllingmovement of a platform, the method comprising operating a first actuatorpivotally attached to a base, the first actuator having a first rodpositioned therethrough and configured to move the first rod in a firstdirection and an opposing second direction along a first rod axis;operating a second actuator pivotally attached to the base, the secondactuator having a second rod positioned therethrough and configured tomove the second rod in a first direction and an opposing seconddirection along a second rod axis; operating a controller, controlledusing a processor in communication with the controller, the controllerconfigured to control operation of the first actuator and the secondactuator; wherein operation of the controller controls operation of thefirst actuator and the second actuator to move a platform coupled to thefirst rod, the second rod, and an arm attached to the base so that theplatform moves in a desired pattern.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a method for controllingmovement of a platform, wherein the step of operating toe controller isperformed using software instructions that provide instructions to theprocessor to cause the first actuator and the second actuator to operateso to move the platform in the desired pattern.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of a method for controllingmovement of a platform, further comprising the step of operating a toolpositioned relative to the platform, the tool configured to generateindicia upon and/or within an object positioned upon the platform due tomovement of the platform relative to the tool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed embodiments and other features, advantages, anddisclosures contained herein, and the matter of attaining them, willbecome apparent and the present disclosure will be better understood byreference to the following description of various exemplary embodimentsof the present disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of components of a system, according toan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of components of a system, according toan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of a platform with components coupledthereto, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2C shows components of a system, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of components of a system using a tool,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of components of a system, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of components of a system used tothree-dimensionally print a product, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 shows a block component diagram of components of a system,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

An overview of the features, functions and/or configurations of thecomponents depicted in the various figures will now be presented. Itshould be appreciated that not all of the features of the components ofthe figures are necessarily described. Some of these non-discussedfeatures, such as various couplers, etc., as well as discussed featuresare inherent from the figures themselves. Other non-discussed featuresmay be inherent in component geometry and/or configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of thepresent disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodimentsillustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used todescribe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitationof the scope of this disclosure is thereby intended.

The present disclosure includes disclosure of systems for moving aplatform, for example, in a controlled pattern upon a substrate so tofacilitate printing, etching, etc., onto or upon an object positionedupon said platform.

In an exemplary embodiment of a system 100 of the present disclosure,such as shown in FIG. 1, system 100 comprises a first actuator 102 and asecond actuator 104, whereby each of first actuator 102 and secondactuator 104 are pivotally coupled to a base 106, such as a melaminebase or another exemplary base 106 made of a material such as stainlesssteel or another metal, steel, wood, plastic, etc.

A first rod 112 is positioned within an aperture 122 defined withinfirst actuator 102, and a second rod 114 is positioned within anaperture 124 defined within second actuator 104. First rod 112 andsecond rod 114 are configured to move in and out of apertures 122, 124,such as along an axis defined by the lengths of rods 112, 114themselves. Rods 112, 114 may be threaded, for example, so that movementof actuators 102, 104 cause rods 112, 114 to rotate and move relative toactuators 102, 104.

Systems 100 of the present disclosure further comprise a platform 150,whereby first rod 112 and second rod 114 engage platform 150 in a mannerthat allows platform 150 to move in various directions as ultimatelydictated by first rod 112 and/or second rod 114, as described in furtherdetail herein. Platform 150 moves on top of base 106, as shown in FIG.1, so that an indicia 310, as referenced in further detail herein, canbe positioned upon and/or within an object 350 positioned on top ofplatform 150. In view of the same, bases 106 that can readily permitplatform 150 to move thereupon, such as a melamine, stone (such asgranite), or plastic base 106 when using a metallic platform 150, suchas aluminum for example, allows system 100 to readily operate asdesired. Sliders 600, such as shown in FIG. 4 and referenced in furtherdetail herein, can be positioned between base 106 and platform 150 toallow platform 150 to move easier (more smoothly) upon base 106, forexample.

Platform 150 is further engaged by an arm 130 that engages base 106using, for example, an arm connector 132. Arm 130, as referenced herein,is solidly attached to platform 150. A distal portion 134 of arm 130, adistal portion 142 of first rod 112, and a distal portion 144 of secondrod 114 each engage platform 150, as shown in FIG. 1. Arm connector 132,first actuator 102, and second actuator 104, as shown in FIG. 2A, form agenerally triangular shape. In various embodiments, a first rodconnector 152 can be used to connect distal portion 142 of first rod 112to platform 150, and a second rod connector 154 can be used to connectdistal portion 144 of second rod 114 to platform, as shown in FIG. 1.Arm connector 132, as shown in FIG. 2A, is positioned within a linearslot defined within arm 130, so that as platform 150 moves due tooperation of first actuator 102 and/or second actuator 104, platform 150movement is managed due to movement of arm 130 relative to arm connector132. Without said management of platform 150 movement, operation offirst actuator 102 and/or second actuator 104 could cause platform 150to spin and/or otherwise have unpredictable and/or uncontrollablemovement.

FIG. 2B shows portions of an exemplary system 100 of the presentdisclosure, whereby an exemplary platform 150 is partially disassembled.As shown therein, a lower platform element 170 is positioned relative toand slides upon base 106, and first rod connector 152 and second rodconnector 154 engage platform 150 by way of a pin positionedtherethrough. Pin 172, as shown in FIG. 2B, is positioned through afirst connector aperture 174 defined within first rod connector 152, asecond connector aperture 176 defined within second rod connector 154,and further positioned within a pin aperture 178 defined within arm 130.A linear bearing 260 (shown in FIG. 6), for example, could be used inlieu of arm 130 and arm connector 132, whereby a relative end of thelinear bearing could be attached to pin 172. Pin 172 provides a singlepoint for platform 150 movement as controlled by operation of firstactuator 102 and/or second actuator 104. In various embodiments, atensioner 190, such as a spring, elastic band/cable, etc., can couple topin 172 or other elements of platform 150, and further connect to otherelements of system 100, such as arm connector 132, first actuator 102,second actuator 104, etc., so to eliminate potential flop (jerkymovements) of platform 150 upon operation of first actuator 102 and/orsecond actuator 104. As referenced herein, first rod 112 and second rod114 are essentially connected to a single point at a relativemiddle/center of platform 150, as pin 172 effectively connects said rods112, 114 by way of connecting rod connectors 152, 154.

An exemplary platform 150 of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG.2B, can comprise a lower platform element 170, as referenced above,platform spacers 180 extending from lower platform element 170, and anupper platform element 182, such as shown in FIG. 2A, whereby upperplatform element 182 can connect to lower platform element 170 by way offasteners 184 positioned through upper platform element 182 and intoplatform spacers 180.

A controller 200, having a processor 202 (also referred to as amicroprocessor 202), is operably coupled to each of first actuator 102and second actuator 104, either serially or in parallel, and eitherwirelessly and/or using one or more wires 204. Instructions (such aswithin software) accessible and performed using processor 202 directoperation of first actuator 102 and second actuator 104, as may bedesired, so that platform 150 moves along/about base 106 as desired. Thesoftware, stored on a storage medium 208 (a memory), for example, andaccessible by processor 202, directs/instructs actuators 102, 104 tomove in such a way that the coordinates on the platform 150 can beaccessed so to ultimately generate the desired indicia 310, as shown inFIG. 3 and referenced in further detail herein. Processor 202, in atleast one embodiment, comprises/is a single core advanced RISC machine(ARM) processor with floating point capabilities. A power supply 206,such as shown in FIG. 2A, can be used to provide power to other aspectsof system 100, such as first actuator 102, second actuator 104,controller 200, and processor 202, for example. In at least oneembodiment, controller 200 comprises a STM32F4 development board(STMicroelectronics).

FIG. 2C shows another image of various components of exemplary systems100 of the present disclosure. As shown therein, controller 200comprises a processor 202, whereby processor 202 is a relativelylow-voltage processor 202 (such as at or near 3V) configured to sendgeneral signals to other elements of system 100. Signals/instructionsfrom processor 202 can travel through wires 204, as shown in FIG. 2A, tovarious motor controllers, such as motor controllers 212, 214, 216,shown in FIG. 2C, either directly or indirectly such as through/using ajumper block 218, for example, to facilitate the various wire 204connections. Wires 204 can connect to various components of system 100,such as shown in FIG. 2C, and can be used to transmit signals or powertherethrough, such as signals from processor 202 to jumper block 218 toother components, power from power supply 206 to motor controllers 212,214, 216, and the like. Motor controllers 212, 214, 216 are relativelyhigh-voltage elements (such as at or near 30V), as they are powered frompower supply 206, which is configured to provide sufficient power tocontrollers 212, 214, 216. Motor controllers 212, 214, 216 areconfigured to instruct where and when to provide additional power, suchas power to operate first actuator 102, second actuator 104, and/orother elements, such as a third actuator 230 (shown in FIG. 2C but notdirectly coupled to platform 150 in the embodiment shown, for example),which could be used as a third axis motor along with first actuator 102and second actuator 104, if desired. Motor controllers 212, 214, 216 areconfigured as step and direction motor controllers so to control, forexample, direction and speed of first rod 112, second rod 114, and athird rod 232, if desired. Exemplary systems 100 of the presentdisclosure may also comprise a button board 210, such as shown in FIG.2C, in wired communication with controller 200, so to position platform150, start and/or stop operation of system, etc., upon use of buttonboard 210.

A tool 300, such as writing tool (pen, pencil, marker, crayon, etc.) forwriting, a router for routing, a laser for laser cutting, a scribe (nailor other relatively pointed element) for scratching, a printer forthree-dimensional (3D) printing, etc., can be positioned relative toplatform 150 so that an object 350 positioned upon platform, such aspaper, plastic, wood, metal, etc., can be engaged by tool 300 so togenerate some sort of indicia 310 upon object 350, such as shown in FIG.3. For example, object 350 can comprise paper and tool 300 can comprisea writing tool, so that operation of first actuator 102 and secondactuator 104 causes platform 150 to move and causes the writing tool(tool 300) to write indicia 310 onto paper (object 350) as desired.Object 350 can comprise wood and tool 300 can comprise a router, so thatoperation of first actuator 102 and second actuator 104 causes platform150 to move and causes the router (tool 300) to route indicia 310 ontowood (object 350) as desired. Object 350 can comprise metal, wood, orplastic and tool 300 can comprise a laser, so that operation of firstactuator 102 and second actuator 104 causes platform 150 to move andcauses the laser (tool 300) to etch indicia 310 onto metal, wood, orplastic (object 350) as desired. Any number of tools 300 known ordeveloped in the art can be used to generate indicia 310 into and/orupon any number of objects 350 known or developed in the art, usingsystems 100 of the present disclosure.

Processor 202, as referenced above, causes first actuator 102 and secondactuator 104 to operate, as desired. First actuator 102 is operated bymoving first rod 112 in a first direction or an opposite seconddirection relative to first actuator 102 within aperture 122 and along afirst rod axis (defined by x−x′ shown in FIG. 2A), and second actuator104 is operated by moving second rod 114 in a first direction or anopposite second direction relative to second actuator 104 withinaperture 124 and along a second rod axis (defined by y−y′ shown in FIG.2A). As first rod 112 and second rod 114 are also coupled to orotherwise engage platform 150, movement of at least one of first rod 112and/or second rod 114 causes platform 150 to move. Furthermore, movementof first rod 112 and/or second rod 114 can also cause first actuator 102and/or second actuator 104 to pivot relative to base 106, such thatpivotal engagement of first actuator 102 and/or second actuator 104relative base permits platform 150 to move as desired. Platform 150 canalso move relative to an axis defined by arm 130, so that controlledoperation of first actuator 102 and/or second actuator 104 usingcontroller 200 can cause platform 150 to move, for example, in a desiredpattern or patterns. Operation of only one of first actuator 102 orsecond actuator 104 would cause platform 150 to move in a relative arc(arcuate movement), and operation of first actuator 102 and secondactuator 104 would be required in order to move platform 150 in a linearfashion, because platform 150 pivots around (due to) arm connector 132.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of various components of an exemplary system100 of the present disclosure. As shown therein, first actuator 102 canbe pivotally coupled to base 106 using a first pin 162, and secondactuator 104 can be pivotally coupled to base 106 using a second pin164, whereby pins 162, 164 are positioned at least partially within base106 and are positioned within, coupled to, or formed as part of,actuators 102, 104. Sliders 600, such as comprising Teflon® material,plastic, felt, etc., can be positioned between base 106 and platform 150to allow platform 150 to move easier (more smoothly) upon base 106, forexample. Said sliders can be positioned at relative corners of platform150, for example, to facilitate smooth movement of platform 150 relativeto base.

Tool 300, in various other embodiments, can comprise a plasticdeposition mechanism for placing plastic upon platform 150 or an object350, such as a flat object 350, positioned thereupon, so tothree-dimensionally print (3D print) a product 400, such as shown inFIG. 5.

Should tool 300 can comprise a plastic deposition mechanism, operationof first actuator 102 and second actuator 104 can cause platform 150 tomove and causes the plastic deposition mechanism (tool 300) to depositplastic 325 onto platform 150 or object 350 as desired.

Various systems 100 of the present disclosure may be referred to, and/orbe within a class or classes defined as, “parallel robot(s)” or “deltarobot(s).” Systems 100 of the present disclosure have several benefits,including but not limited to having a minimum number of easilyproducible components, the ability to easily scale said systems 100 forvarious applications, and having very rigid and precise movementcapabilities as compared to, for example, fully Cartesian machines. Saidsystems 100 can also move relatively heavy items, such as relativelyheavy objects 350, positioned upon platforms. Systems 100 can also beideal for routers (exemplary tools 300), such as printed circuit board(PCB) routers, so to etch patterns (indicia 310) upon printed circuitboards (exemplary objects 350).

Systems 100 of the present disclosure can comprise one or more of thefollowing items:

a) a first actuator 102;

b) a first rod 112;

c) a second actuator 104;

d) a second rod 114;

e) a base 106;

f) a platform 150;

g) an arm 130;

h) an arm connector 132;

i) a controller 200;

j) a processor 202;

k) wires 204;

l) a power supply 206;

m) a storage medium 208;

n) a button board 210;

o) motor controllers 212, 214, and/or 216;

p) jumper block 218;

q) a third actuator 230;

r) a third rod 232;

s) a tool 300;

t) a first pin 162;

u) a second pin 164;

v) a slider 600;

w) a first rod connector 152; and/or

x) a second rod connector 154.

While various embodiments of platform movement systems and methods forusing the same have been described in considerable detail herein, theembodiments are merely offered as non-limiting examples of thedisclosure described herein. It will therefore be understood thatvarious changes and modifications may be made, and equivalents may besubstituted for elements thereof, without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure. The present disclosure is not intended to beexhaustive or limiting with respect to the content thereof.

Further, in describing representative embodiments, the presentdisclosure may have presented a method and/or a process as a particularsequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or processdoes not rely on the particular order of steps set forth therein, themethod or process should not be limited to the particular sequence ofsteps described, as other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore,the particular order of the steps disclosed herein should not beconstrued as limitations of the present disclosure. In addition,disclosure directed to a method and/or process should not be limited tothe performance of their steps in the order written. Such sequences maybe varied and still remain within the scope of the present disclosure.

1. A system for moving a platform, comprising: a first actuatorpivotally attached to a base, the first actuator having a first rodpositioned therethrough and configured to move the first rod in a firstrod first direction and an opposing first rod second direction along afirst rod axis; a second actuator pivotally attached to the base, thesecond actuator having a second rod positioned therethrough andconfigured to move the second rod in a second rod first direction and anopposing second rod second direction along a second rod axis; an armattached to the base using an arm connector; and a platform connected tothe first rod and the second rod, the platform configured to move aboutthe base upon operation of the first actuator or the second actuator;wherein the system is configured so that operation of the first actuatorand/or the second actuator causes the platform to move, with movement ofthe platform managed due to movement of the arm relative to the armconnector.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a controller,controlled using a processor in communication with the controller, thecontroller configured to control operation of the first actuator and thesecond actuator.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the processor isconfigured to control operation of the first actuator and the secondactuator based upon software instructions accessible by the processor.4. The system of claim 3, wherein the software instructions provideinstructions to the processor to cause the first actuator and the secondactuator to operate so to move the platform in a desired pattern.
 5. Thesystem of claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to send signalsto the controller.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the arm isconfigured to regulate the movement of the platform.
 7. The system ofclaim 2, wherein the controller is configured to regulate power providedto the first actuator and the second actuator.
 8. The system of claim 1,further comprising one more sliders positioned between the base and theplatform.
 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a first rodconnector configured to couple the first rod to the platform; and asecond rod connector configured to couple the second rod to theplatform.
 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first rod connector andthe second rod connector engage the platform by way of a pin positionedtherethrough.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the platform comprisesa lower platform element configured to move about the base, and an upperplatform element coupled to the upper platform element.
 12. The systemof claim 1, further comprising: a tool positioned relative to theplatform, the tool configured to generate indicia upon and/or within anobject positioned upon the platform due to movement of the platformrelative to the tool.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the tool isselected from the group consisting of a writing tool, a router, a laser,and a scribe.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein the tool comprises aplastic deposition mechanism configured to deposit plastic onto theplatform or onto the object positioned upon the platform.
 15. A systemfor moving a platform, comprising: a first actuator pivotally attachedto a base, the first actuator having a first rod positioned therethroughand configured to move the first rod in a first rod first direction andan opposing first rod second direction along a first rod axis; a secondactuator pivotally attached to the base, the second actuator having asecond rod positioned therethrough and configured to move the second rodin a second rod first direction and an opposing second rod seconddirection along a second rod axis; an arm attached to the base using anarm connector; a platform connected to the first rod and the second rod,the platform configured to move about the base upon operation of thefirst actuator and/or the second actuator; the first rod and the secondrod connected to the platform at the same point on the platform; acontroller, controlled using a processor in communication with thecontroller, the controller configured to control operation of the firstactuator and the second actuator; and a tool positioned relative to theplatform, the tool configured to generate indicia upon and/or within anobject positioned upon the platform due to movement of the platformrelative to the tool; wherein the system is configured so that operationof the first actuator and/or the second actuator causes the platform tomove, with movement of the platform managed due to movement of the armrelative to the arm connector.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein thetool is selected from the group consisting of a writing tool, a router,a laser, and a scribe.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein the toolcomprises a plastic deposition mechanism configured to deposit plasticonto the platform or onto the object positioned upon the platform.
 18. Amethod for controlling movement of a platform, the method comprising:operating a first actuator pivotally attached to a base, the firstactuator having a first rod positioned completely therethrough andconfigured to move the first rod in a first rod first direction and anopposing first rod second direction along a first rod axis; operating asecond actuator pivotally attached to the base, the second actuatorhaving a second rod positioned completely therethrough and configured tomove the second rod in a second rod first direction and an opposingsecond rod second direction along a second rod axis; operating acontroller, controlled using a processor in communication with thecontroller, the controller configured to control operation of the firstactuator and the second actuator; wherein operation of the controllercontrols operation of only the first actuator and the second actuator tomove a platform connected to the first rod and the second rod; andwherein an arm attached to the base using an arm connector so that theplatform moves in a desired pattern in any lateral direction withmovement of the platform managed due to movement of the arm relative tothe arm connector.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step ofoperating toe controller is performed using software instructions thatprovide instructions to the processor to cause the first actuator andthe second actuator to operate so to move the platform in the desiredpattern.
 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of:operating a tool positioned relative to the platform, the toolconfigured to generate indicia upon and/or within an object positionedupon the platform due to movement of the platform relative to the tool.